Activities Activities
Beeswax Candles
A great activity to help kids feel involved in dinner preparations. Beeswax is sold in rectangular sheets that are large enough to make four candles. Use one set for dinner; the second pair makes an attractive home-made gift for a teacher or relative. What You Need: 21 x 21 cm sheet of beeswax 45 cm candlewick glitter (optional) gift tag (optional) curly ribbon (optional) paper punch (optional) scissors blow dryer (the kind you use for hair) How To Do It: Adult Preparation: Cut the... More
Bird Feeder: Citrus Halves
Feed the birds with citrus halves. What You Need: half grapefruit or orange rind 3 strands of yarn yarn needle mixed bird seed How To Do It: Choose a rind with lots of pulp left on it. Thread the yarn through the needle. Poke three evenly spaced holes along the edge of the rind. Thread each strand of yarn through a hole and tie it around the rind. Gather the loose ends of the yarn strands at the top so that the rind balances, and then tie them together. Fill the rind part way with... More
Bird Feeder: Peanut Butter Pine Cone
Feed the birds with a peanut butter pine cone. What You Need: large pine cone peanut butter mixed bird seed fishing line OR yarn How To Do It: Tie some fishing line around the top of a pine cone. Tie a loop at the top of the line so you can hang it on a tree. Mix the birdseed with the peanut butter. Spread the peanut butter mix into the grooves of the pine cone. Pick a good spot on the tree and hang your pine cone feeder. Originally part of an article published in The Orleans Star,... More
Bird Feeder: Popcorn Strings
Feed the birds with popcorn strings. What You Need: thread and sewing needle day old plain air-popped popcorn (do not use microwaved popcorn! As it is too high in salts and fats) cranberries, soaked raisins and other fruit pieces: grapes, oranges, apples, bananas, melon, etc. vegetable pieces: carrots, peas, broccoli, cooked potatoes, tomatoes, etc. cooked beans (Note: some varieties of beans can be poisonous unless cooked.) pasta – cooked or uncooked whole grains: bread cubes, shredded... More
Bird Feeder: Seed Feeder
Feed the birds with a seed feeder What You Need: large plastic container with a lid other plastic lid with a diameter larger than then container yarn mixed bird seed knife scissors glue gun hole punch or nail How To Do It: ADULT PREPARATION: Use the knife to make several holes in the side of the container towards the bottom. Use a glue gun to attach the bottom of the container to the larger lid so that the lip of the lid sticks up to act as a seed catcher. Use the scissors to cut a hole... More
Bird Feeder: Tuna Can Suet Feeder
Feed the birds with a tuna can suet feeder. What You Need: empty tuna can clothes pin suet mixed bird seed glue gun How To Do It: ADULT PREPARATION: Melt the suet on low in the microwave or on the stove top. Remove the solid pieces and let the suet cool. Use the glue gun to stick the clothespin to the underside of the can. CHILD: Mix the birdseed into the cooled suet. Spoon the mix into the can and let it harden in the fridge. Pin the suet feeder to a tree branch. Originally part of... More
Crayons: Crayon Resist
What You Need: crayons watercolours paper How To Do It: Draw a design with crayons on the paper. Press hard to make heavy, solid lines. Paint the background with the water colours. The was in the crayons will repel the watercolours, leaving a clear bold design. For fun, use clear paraffin to make an invisible secret message. When you paint over it, your message will appear like magic. Originally published as part of an article in The Orleans Star, January 23, 1996. More
Crayons: Crayon Rubbings
What You Need: crayons paper objects with interesting textured surfaces (eg. Coins, corrugated cardboard, fabric, etc.) How To Do It: Peel the paper off a crayon. Place a textured object under the paper. Rub the paper with the side of the peeled crayon to make a textured design. Experiment with other objects and see how many different textures you can create. Originally published as part of an article in The Orleans Star, January 23, 1996. More
Crayons: Crayon Surprise
What You Need: crayons paper toothpick or another small scraping tool newspaper How To Do It: Colour the whole paper with lots of different inter-locking colours. Cover over your design with the black crayon. The next part is messy, so spread lots of newsprint under your picture. Use the toothpick to scrape a design on the black crayon. You scrapings will reveal bright multicoloured lines that look great against the black background. Roll up the newsprint and throw away the mess.... More
Crayons: Melted Crayon Prints
What You Need: crayons warming tray tinfoil paper oven mitts paper towels How To Do It: cover the warming tray with tinfoil and turn it on low. When the tray is warm enough to melt the crayons, draw a design on the foil. The crayon will melt as you draw. When you're finished your picture, place a piece of paper over the design. Put on the oven mits and press evenly over the back of the paper. Carefully lift off the paper and admire your picture. Wipe the foil clean with paper towels and... More